They say if you want something done right, do it yourself. While I’m a huge fan of that mantra, I know it doesn’t work in all circumstances. Take home design for example. In the DIY age we’re in, tackling some aspects of design around the home may not be the best way of getting it done right. When it comes to great countertops and backsplashes, you may want to hire an interior designer to get the most value out of your home project.
Choosing the Right Countertop Materials
Tile and countertop materials can be extremely expensive. Nobody wants to pay upwards of hundreds of dollars per tile (or more!) only to have to rip it out and do it again if they get it wrong. Yet, I’ve seen it done time and time again with people who chose not to hire an interior designer.
This happens often with natural stone, particularly marble. While I absolutely love designing with stone, I know as a designer how to protect it—and when/where to use it. For example, I understand that natural stone may not be the best countertop material for an active family with kids. Condensation from glasses or bottles can cause etching and damage it permanently. Does the average homeowner know that? Maybe not. Even when designing a chef’s kitchen recently, I opted for manufactured stone. Why? Natural stone can be prone to staining. I adore natural stone, and I’ve worked with it often (have you checked out UNICA?). But the key is knowing when and where to place it in a space to maximize its beauty and durability.
Designing Beyond the Surface
Interior designers worth their salt also avoid designing solely based on superficial aesthetics, as many clients tend to do. Clients lead with their eyes and heart, and that’s not always wise. Yes, a gorgeous pattern may look perfect for your backsplash today. However, professional designers can look beyond “now” and predict when interior design tides will change or shift. We can help you choose something that may have more staying power with respect to the overall design of your space.
As a designer, my goal is not only to give you a beautiful home you love; it’s to do that in the most cost-effective way possible. I can help you pick the right tile that won’t go out of style, ultimately saving you money in the short and long run. These are the costly mistakes you can certainly avoid if you hire an interior designer.
Hire an Interior Designer to Save Time
Another consideration for designing backsplashes and countertops is the time it will take to create them. Again, if you have the expertise, by all means, go for it! I credit my mom for gifting me with the creativity gene. She has always excelled at arts and crafts. We would mosaic together, and I became really skilled at it! If you’re anything like me, you may have a good grasp of the techniques needed to tackle this kind of project. It could be a great way to put your own creative spin on your backsplash.
However, if you don’t know how to handle a project of this magnitude, it could go really wrong, really quickly. You don’t have to be Liam Neeson, but you do need to have a special set of skills to do this well. Something that may take a professional a day or less to do might end up turning into a nightmare for someone who’s inexperienced. And, as I mentioned earlier, materials can be costly. But even if your materials are inexpensive, experimenting without the expertise could cost you a great deal of time. None of us have enough of that to waste. If you’re not sure you have the skills, it might be best to hire an interior designer.
Planning and Envisioning like a Designer
As you probably know by now, I’m building my dream beach home. Recently I discussed moving a staircase in my master bedroom from one side of the space to the other. When I make suggestions like that, people often give me perplexed looks. They can’t fathom or understand how that could be possible. But interior designers have a knack for seeing a home as a blank slate, down to its studs, and determining what would work best.
The same goes for backsplashes and countertop materials. The average person may get a tile or stone sample and use that one sample to decide what they want for the entire countertop design or backsplash slab. As a designer, I know that’s the worst way to pick a countertop! One sample may have slight veining. But my professional expertise knows you need to see the entire slab before making a decision. The larger section may have more of one color versus another. Or, it may have more veining than you prefer in your design. I’ve learned how to avoid this and other mistakes through years of designing and renovating homes. This is yet another reason why you may want to hire an interior designer.
Breegan Jane: Your Dedicated Interior Designer
Designers think differently than average homeowners when it comes to home projects. That’s because interior design can almost be like a secret code or language to decipher. Professional designers have the eye, expertise and experience to crack those “codes” and take the trial-and-error out of the interior design process. Seeing a DIY project on TikTok can be intriguing, and it may even persuade you to try it. But getting it right the first time with a pro can be more efficient financially and time-wise than getting it wrong and doing it over again. Should you want to hire an interior designer to help you perfect your countertop and backsplash needs, I’m here to help you save time, money and headaches, all while making your home look amazing!
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